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When we look at the mystery-horror novel OUT, one important precedent to keep in mind is the gothic novel: the novel of architectural decrepitude and feminine confinement par excellence.

OUT‘s 1997 publication coincides nicely with a small boom in gothic tourism, to abandoned industrial properties located on the outskirts of towns. They are not necessarily feminine spaces, but still, they evoke similar senses of gloom, abandonment, and strange lyrical beauty. Here are some links to “ruins” (haikyo 廃墟) blogs which document and brood upon these abandoned spaces.